From The Next Decision Podcast: A Conversation with Sam McArtor, COO & Co-Founder of Rentgrata
“People trust people—not companies.”
That’s the insight driving Rentgrata, the resident referral platform that’s quietly reshaping real estate. In this episode of The Next Decision, host Jarie Bolander sits down with Sam McArtor, Rentgrata’s COO and co-founder, to unpack how trust, transparency, and tech are powering a movement toward human-first leasing.
In this recap, we’ll break down the conversation: how Rentgrata got its start, why renters are the best advocates, and what startups can learn about building trust that scales.
When the Product Is the People
Sam shares the origin story of Rentgrata—founded on a simple idea: give prospective renters the ability to message people who already live there. Instead of marketing copy or static reviews, you get real talk from real residents.
“The best marketing isn’t marketing—it’s conversation.”
By tapping into a community’s voice, Rentgrata turns tenants into brand ambassadors and referrers, building a loop of trust that traditional leasing lacks.
Trust Is the New Amenity
In a space full of automation, Rentgrata doubled down on connection. Jarie and Sam dig into why peer referrals work so well: it’s not just about honesty—it’s about alignment. When prospective renters can message current residents directly, it turns anxiety into confidence.
“People want to hear from someone like them. Someone who’s lived the experience—not just sold it.”
That shift—from lead funnel to friendship—has major implications for real estate, tech, and any industry built on experience.
Lessons for Founders
What can startups learn from a platform that bet big on trust?
Sam shares a few core principles that guided Rentgrata’s rise:
- Make it conversational, not transactional
- Give people a voice—not just a role
- Design with empathy, and trust will follow
As he puts it: “We didn’t want to build a platform that shouts. We wanted to build one that listens.”
The Bigger Picture: Community-as-a-Service
This isn’t just about leases. It’s about what happens when technology stops replacing humans and starts empowering them.
Rentgrata shows that tech can scale trust—when it’s built to serve people first.
And as Jarie reminds us:
“Community is the one thing you can’t fake. Either it’s there—or it isn’t.”
The Takeaway: Trust Sells
In a noisy market, trust isn’t just a differentiator. It’s the product. This episode is a must-listen for founders, real estate pros, and anyone building with community at the center. Because at the end of the day?
People trust people. And that changes everything.
Listen to the Episode
Catch the full conversation with Sam McArtor in Episode 4 of The Next Decision: “Renters Know Best: Trust, Community, and the Future of Leasing”
Available now on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your shows.
Final Thought
If you’re building something new, start here:
Trust isn’t a growth hack. It’s a foundation.
Lay it well.
